Sydney: Hits and Misses

So work took me to Sydney last week which was great. It gave me a chance to gallivant around an executive suite which was seriously large enough to go for a run in and also because work was a bit full on, gave me a chance to indulge in some room service. Which resulted in this rather lovely burger.

So let me walk you through it. The menu says beef burger with onion rings, dill pickel cheese, tomato and frissee lettuce, served with fries. Yes the burger had onion rings - but they were not the yummy deep fried substitute for chips that I expected, but overall I'd give it about a 7.5 out of 10.

Another of my experiences in Sydney was when I ordered a long mac, this is what I got. Yes that is my finger and yes you would be correct in thinking, that doesn't look particularly long. And the snooty man that served me was short too.

From Denmark with Love

So a very exciting thing happened at work last week, I had a visit from all of our favourite Royals - Mary and Freddie - courtesy of Geoff and Alaina who had been to visit Mary's kingdom.

Now you will recall that this photo was taken in the week leading up to Mary and Freddie's nuptials in May 2004. Mary caused quite a stir because she was wearing the Nigella blue sash which is the Danish Order of the Elephant - an honour usually only bestowed on royals. Of course Denmark saw that Mary was worthy even before she wed Freddie.

And excitingly Mary has new photos on her official website, my favourite is the one where she is sitting down in a blue dress. Check them out at Mary's official website

Things one loves

You may well ask what is this picture all about...

I am a big believer in buying oneself presents and although usually this entails clothes or housewares, of late I have come across something edible that one loves. Well, Rochelle Adonis, who rose to fame having made Catie & Linds' wedding cakes has a new little sideline to her deliciousness



The amazing Rochelle now makes ice cream which, at about $20 per 600g is well worth the cold hard cash. So far, assisted by my enablers, I have tried Pecan & Organic Maple, Chocolate Sabli & Sour Cherry, Smashed Chocolate Pearl and Vanilla with Rosewater Turkish Delight...



Its hard to pick a favourite, but I'll say this, I don't like the Pecan & Organic Maple as much as the rest.

Check out Rochelle's new website here: http://www.rochelleadonis.com/

OMG

So tonight I have finally managed to be on the couch when MasterChef is on.

Plus, my Justine is back in the competition, I mean who doesn't love Justine when she does things like this


But MasterChef doesn't stop entertaining there, they step up and give each of the contestants the challenge of using a sausage maker! I am lucky enough to have a sausage making attachment for the mighty Kenwood so I am taking many notes for a big sausage making day at number 9.

PS. Parsons & Dodd, you are totally missing out and need to hit up an internet cafe for about a week straight to check out MasterChef.

PPS. Props to Julie who got some good feedback from the Judges and looked like she was about to cry

PPPS. George, you are not a truffle pig, stop eating like one

Renovation deliberations

People always ask if you're going to have a theme for your renovation. Will it be modern, contemporary, shabby chic, French provincial, Tuscan, medieval (well maybe not that one, but it would be funny)...

For me, its not so much the theme but what should and should not be bought for the kitchen. Right now my question is do I need something like this:


I think you can't go wrong with a hunk of ham in the kitchen and it goes with any decor. Plus it would be fun for when kids pop round, lets make ham and cheese sandwiches and paint the piggies hoof...

But in all seriousness, its all about white for me and my renovation, well that is except for my new chocolate brown leather couch, although being the novice blogger that I am, I failed to take a photo of it for you, you'll have to wait for the 'after' shots.

Dancing with the Stars..

Was anyone else completely disturbed by DWTS tonight?? What was happening with Mark & Todd's respective hair dos tonight? I give them each -10

Sunday Football

Its an Australian institution and lets be honest we all need a break from bargain hunting for that little place we call home, so we went to the footy today the only way I like to go - the corporate way. Which ends up with a view like this:

So it all started with roast pork and lots of cracking - YUM! SO good that there wasn't time to take a photo.

Then there was the vino - I'd give it an 8 out of 10 as far as corporate functions go - it was a Marlborough SSB of some description.

Then at half time we had cheese and desert - which as we all know are 2 separate courses. Much to my dismay the rest of the world doesn't always realise this.

So on the cheese front, there was a brie, cheddar and then a selection of yummy dried apples, apricots and some dates and nuts too. On the sweet side of things there were mini lemon meringue tarts, cheesecake and chocolate cake, which was particularly yummy and looked super good: